We studied the usefulness of the CIS Allergen Screen II (CAS II), a multitest of dietary allergens (CisBio International), on atopic dermatitis of young children.
Subjects must have a history of atopy, defined as a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis for at least 2 years (in relation to the ragweed season), and evidence of atopy, defined as a positive skin prick test (wheal difference allergen negative control ≥3 mm) to ragweed allergen at screening.
The need to enter this field emerged from the use of multi-allergen screening strips, which accrued an enormous number of positive results irreconcilable with patients' histories (Fig. 1 and Table 2).
Total IgE and allergen specific IgE levels for a multi-allergen screen were quantified for each subject's blood.
The multi-allergen screen detects the presence (positive/negative) using a panel of at least 15 common aeroallergens and 5 common food allergens.
Finally, we recorded variations in the amount of allergen given at the post-treatment challenge compared with the individuals screening allergen challenge.
Secondary efficacy outcome measures (all at Week 13) were EAR, defined as the AUC of FEV1 0–2 h following allergen challenge, the maximal fall in FEV1 that occurred 0 2 h following challenge, methacholine challenge PC20, and change in methacholine challenge PC20 relative to the PC20 observed 24 h following allergen challenge at screening.
The EXiLE test could be suitable for this purpose, screening allergen-specific IgE in sera following immunochemical in vitro tests like CAP.
In such a case the common practice of screening for allergens using reactivity to serum IgE may be fraught with difficulties and determining the primary agent that is causing an allergy may more difficult than is currently realised.
Twelve mild/moderate asthmatics (FEV1 ≥ 65%) were studied on 4 separate occasions (screening, dose-ranging allergen challenge and either no further challenge (Group 1) or 2 full dosage allergen challenges followed by eosinophil and neutrophil tracking on separate occasions).
